Young Greens to join university strike pickets and call for student support

Young Greens groups across the country will be backing lecturers and other university staff on strike this Thursday, following a unanimous vote by the Young Greens National Committee to support the industrial action over pay and other issues.

Members of the Green Party’s youth branch will be joining picket lines in Manchester, Norwich, York and elsewhere.

The strike action is over a 13% real-terms pay cut over the last four years and a below-inflation 1% pay offer this year, as well as calls for equal pay between male and female workers. There is currently a £1bn surplus in the higher education sector which the Unite, Unison and UCU unions argue should be used to ensure fair remuneration.Manchester Young Greens will be joining the action, with Young Greens national Co-Chair Clifford Fleming speaking at a strike rally on the day, where he will say: “We are united against an ideological affront to Higher Education, an affront which has resulted in tripled tuition fees, course closures, cuts, and the shoddy treatment of workers in the sector.

The attacks to university pay and conditions are part of a broader attack on education by the coalition government, and it’s vital that students support the strike.”

In Norwich, University of East Anglia Young Greens will be joining picket lines on the day. Chris Jarvis, society Equality & Diversity Co-Ordinator, said: “The UEA Young Greens are proud to support our lecturers and other university workers faced with a measly 1% pay offer – a real-terms cut in the income of thousands of staff at the University.

‘Students must show our solidarity in the face of the government’s attempts to undermine education and the public sector as a whole. This race to the bottom has to stop. With 15 members of staff at the top paid more than the Minister for Higher Education, decent pay for our cleaners, catering staff, technicians and other workers should be a given”.

University of York Green Party members have launched a student petition in support of the workers taking action. Chair Nick Devlin said: “We are encouraging all students to visit the picket lines during the strike and show some support for the people who keep our university running. This petition is calling for fair pay for all at the University and is a show of solidarity from students.

“With the Vice Chancellor paid nearly 18 times more than the lowest paid, it’s time for fair pay on campus – a Living Wage for all and a maximum pay ratio of 10:1.” The petition is available here.

The strike comes after the launch of a Young Greens report, The Fair Pay League, which shows that the average Vice Chancellor pay is over £248,000, and 1,633 senior staff members in the sector are paid over £140,000 per year – more than enough to pay the nearly 5,000 workers on the Minimum Wage at Universities a Living Wage.

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Fracking: neither cheap nor safe

The growing resistance to fracking - the "hydraulic fracturing" of deep level shale rocks to extract natural gas - promises to reignite the climate movement after years of demoralisation following the failure of the UN climate talks in 2009.

A feature of the recent march and blockades at Cuadrilla Resources' drilling site near Balcombe in West Sussex was the diversity of the people involved, as well as the numbers. Local residents were central to the protests, as they have been at Fylde, near Blackpool, where two Cuadrilla fracking operations led to minor earthquakes.

Today there are 45 anti-fracking groups around the country preparing to take action when further licences are issued. Given that 64 percent of England sits above shale gas and oil deposits, and their commercial exploitation could mean thousands of fracking sites, the protests are likely to increase and erupt into a full-scale war of attrition against the Cameron government and its dash for gas.

What has made fracking such an explosive issue is the evidence after 20 years of drilling in the US that the process is inherently unsafe. This is due to the uncontrolled leakage of methane into the air and groundwater, and the possible risks to health of the chemical additives in the fracking fluid used to prize the rocks open. Methane is a neurotoxin, which can cause early-onset dementia. The mix of additives, which in America has found its way into drinking water, includes chemicals that are known to be toxic or carcinogenic.

The British government says that fracking will only be permitted under strict regulation. But this ignores the fact that we do not have the technology to ensure that the cement barriers encasing the drilling shafts can withstand the pressures involved or that gas can be prevented from escaping from the pipelines and processing units.

Studies in the US showed that in 45 percent of cases the barriers failed at some point in the process and 5 percent of rigs leaked from the start.

The other, broader, issue is the government's intention to make gas a "core part" of Britain's energy mix "well into and beyond" 2030. This flies in the face of the warnings by many authorities that, with the unabated burning of fossil fuels, the world is on course for an unthinkable temperature increase of 4 to 6 degrees above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.

A recent report by Lord Stern and the Carbon Tracker think-tank made it clear that, if we are to have any chance of avoiding catastrophic climate change, we have to switch to renewables now, and leave 80 percent of coal, gas and oil reserves "in the ground".

Last year the government's decision to cut investment in renewables and make Britain "even more attractive" for the oil and gas companies provoked an angry letter from its independent Committee on Climate Change stating categorically that gas-fired power generation "could not form the basis for government policy" if it was to meet its carbon reduction targets.

Of course there are apologists for fracking who argue that gas can be a "transitional" fuel because it emits only 50 percent of the CO2 emitted by coal. In a recent speech on climate change, US president Barack Obama even referred to it as "clean" energy. This overlooks the effect of the leakage of methane, which is a far more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.

For natural gas to be cleaner than coal, methane emissions would need to be kept below 2 percent of annual production, but recent studies by the US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration at gas fields in California, Colorado and Utah found that leakages ranged between 2.3 percent and 17 percent of production.

As well as giving tax breaks to the fracking companies and cash sweeteners to local communities, the government tries to sell us fracking by saying it will offer unlimited cheap energy and create thousands of jobs.

The Committee on Climate Change, however, has shown that extracting gas is actually more costly than installing renewables and even Cuadrilla admits that the impact on fuel bills would be negligible.

Leaving aside Green MP Caroline Lucas's comment that "there are no jobs on a dead planet", there is clear evidence that renewables generate more jobs than fossil fuel industries. A study by the University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute suggests that a million dollars invested in gas would create five jobs while the same amount invested in wind and solar power would create around 13 jobs. This is the kind of argument behind the growing campaign in Britain for a million climate jobs.

Fracking for gas is not safe, not clean, not cheap, and nor the best way to create jobs or to tackle climate change. Nonetheless, Lord John Browne, the government's chief adviser on the subject, says it's the way forward. He should know; he is chairman and 30 percent owner of Cuadrilla.

Monday, 28 October 2013

CWU serves notice for Royal Mail strike

CWU has today (Monday) served formal notice for strike action in Royal Mail for Monday 4 November. Under UK laws a trade union must give at least seven days' notice of any industrial action.

Talks are continuing between CWU and Royal Mail as the union seeks an agreement on pay, job security and terms and conditions in the newly-privatised company. Talks are scheduled for every day this week, in addition to the three days which took place last week. If no agreement is reached by the end of the week then 24 hour strike action on 4 November will affect all non-managerial functions in Royal Mail and Parcelforce. It will be the first national strike since 2009 and would hit deliveries, collections and other mail operations such as sorting, logistics and call centre functions.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, is leading the negotiations with Royal Mail. "Our members have clearly spoken that they care more about their jobs than they do about shares" he said. "It's important that we secure a legally-binding, lasting agreement which will tackle the big issues facing postal workers in their work lives.

"There's a lot of concern about job security since privatisation and it's that as well as pay and addressing the outlook of the company that we're tackling in these talks. Regardless of who owns this company, CWU will be here to protect the interests of workers who literally deliver the service."

Postal workers voted by four to one (78%) in favour of strike action in a ballot announced on 16 October. CWU balloted 115,000 members in Royal Mail group and Parcelforce working in non-managerial jobs including deliveries, drivers, sorting staff, admin and support grades. Strike action is due to take place all day on Monday 4 November 2013 with members going on strike at the beginning of their normal duty and not returning to work until their next normal day of work starting on Tuesday 5 November.

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

When the London Fed, ( London Federration of Green Parties). agreed last night to consultation with community and campaign groups regarding revision of our education policy I was asked to circulate the wording of the placard I displayed. The placard had been applauded by striking teachers on the London march

*NO* to privatisation, academies, free schools, phonics test and SATs

*YES* to creative teaching in democratically accountable LA schools

*TOO MUCH, TOO SOON!*/(reference to formal curriculum for young children starting to soon)

*68-TOO LATE!* (/reference to pension reform proposal requiring teachers to work until the age of 68)/
/

If anyone would like to join in drafting amendments to our education policy to take into account the changes brought about by Michael Gove please email me on mafran@globalnet.co.uk

Saturday, 19 October 2013

Right now, 28 of our activists, a photographer and a videographer are being held in custody by the Russian authorities. We urgently need your help to free them.

The Arctic Sunrise had been part of a peaceful protest against energy giant Gazprom, which is poised to drill for the first oil to come out of the icy waters of the Arctic.

Using a helicopter and ropes, armed Coast Guards illegally boarded the ship and held those on board under armed guard whilst they towed the ship to shore. Our team were then remanded for up to two months by a court in Murmansk.

The authorities say they need time to investigate possible charges of piracy - even though President Putin has said that he did not believe they were pirates.

Please send an urgent email to the Russian Ambassador in London and demand the immediate release of these peaceful protestors.

WE WANT TO MAKE THIS FIREWORK NIGHT ONE WHICH DAVID CAMERON WILL REMEMBER AND REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME! THE PEOPLES’ ASSEMBLY IS CALLING FOR A DAY OF PROTEST IN EVERY TOWN AND CITY IN THE COUNTRY.

THE ACTIONS WILL BE MANY AND VARIOUS, RANGING FROM OCCUPATIONS OF PUBLIC SPACE TO OCCUPATIONS OF BANKS, FROM ONLINE PETITIONING TO BLOCKING ROADS, FROM LEAFLETING WITH THE RAIL UNIONS AGAINST THE PRIVATIZED RAIL COMPANIES TO STUDENT OCCUPATIONS.

WE ARE HOPING FOR THREE WAVES OF ACTION: ONE IN THE MORNING, ONE AT LUNCHTIME AND ONE IN THE EVENING. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE LOCAL OUT-SOURCING CONTRACTS, THE WELFARE LEGISLATION, THE LOAN COMPANY ADVERTS WILL ALL MAKE A SPLENDID BONFIRE…AND YOU CAN CHOOSE WHETHER THE GUY IS CAMERON, GOVE, CLEGG OR OSBORNE.

MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW. POST YOUR ACTIONS / IDEAS BELOW AND GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOCAL GROUP TO FIND OUT WHAT’S BEING PLANNED NEAR YOU.

WE WILL ASSEMBLE WITH TORCHES AND A VERY LOUD SAMBA BAND AND PROCEED TO TAKE OUR GUY ON A GUIDED TOUR OF THE OFFICES AND SHOPS OF LOAN SHARKS, TAX DODGERS, PRIVATISERS AND THE GENERAL FOUL SMELLING UNDERBELLY OF TORY MANCHESTER. BLUE PLAQUES WILL BE CEREMONIOUSLY APPLIED ON ROUTE. PREPARE TO BE HORRIFIED AND DISGUSTED AT WHAT YOU SEE WHILST HAVING THE MOST FUN YOU’VE EVER HAD ON NOVEMBER 5TH !

AT 8 AM WE WILL BE LEAFLETING WORKERS AS THEY ARRIVE IN THE CITY AND LOCAL TRAM AND BUS DEPOTS. OUR LEAFLET WILL HAVE TEN IDEAS THAT ANYONE CAN DO DURING THE WORKING DAY AS WELL AS THE ACTIONS THEY CAN JOIN IN WITH

REARRANGE RETAIL: TAKE A PHOTO FOR #BURNAUSTERITY

RECOMMENDED READS - ADD A POST IT ‘ THIS IS CRAP READ THIS… ‘ WITH YOUR RECOMMENDED ANTI AUSTERITY READ ON TO BEST SELLERS LIKE BIOGRAPHIES OF BRANSON

FILL A BASKET OF GROCERIES AND LEAVE A NOTE AT THE CHECKOUT SAYING ‘DEAR TESCO PLEASE DONATE TO LOCAL FOOD BANK’ LEAVE AN ANTI AUSTERITY REVIEW ON AMAZON, ARGOS MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS

RING FOR A REFUND

MAKE NOV 5TH THE DAY WE JAM THE PHONE LINES TO VIRGIN TRAINS COMPLAINTS, ROYAL MAIL OR BOOTS

The 5 November national day of action and civil disobedience is around the corner. The PeoplesAssembly is organising an all London action in the evening - we will meet at Jubilee Gardens at 6pm. The plan is to then block Westminster Bridge. We also want actions taking place during the day across London.

We are calling an activists meeting to plan, brainstorm and share ideas and to get groups together and delegate tasks for the 5 November to make the Bonfire of Austerity as loud and visual as possible. Come along with ideas and let's make this a night that the government will not forget.

Please confirm your attendance and spread the word on the Facebook group.

TEACHERS STRIKE ACTION THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER

A teachers strike action will take place next Thursday in response to the Government's plans to dismantle the national pay system for teachers and introduce a longer school day and year among other plans that will adversely affect both teachers and the quality of education. The People's Assembly has printed leaflets calling for support of the teachers and to defend education. There is one designed specifically for 6th Form colleges and one for general distribution.

We are asking Peoples' Assembly groups, community organisations and supporters to pick one morning next week to leaflet school to help build up the support for this crucial strike.

a. The claim by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development that up to 1 million workers in Britain could be working on zero hours contracts.

b. That these contracts leave workers without guaranteed regular hours, sick pay or holidays and, particularly within the context of Higher Education, opportunities for professional development. These conditions are reminiscent of Victorian employment practices.

c. That these contracts are not just the preserve of employers in the private sector like Sports Direct (20,000 workers on zero hours) and McDonald (82,000) but are also common in the public and voluntary sectors. The Higher Education sector is now the second most 'casualised' sector in the UK with an estimated half of Britain's universities using Zero hours contracts. According to research carried out by UCU nationally permanent contracts are most likely to be awarded to those 'who's face fits within the existing culture of an institution' while female lecturers, black staff, lesbian and gay workers are disproportionally likely to be employed on 0 hour contracts.

d. At London Met 0 hours contracts are increasingly used to replace permanent, full-time staff. HPLs at London Met are treated as second class employees with no job security, proper facilities, professional development or holiday pay and many have no access to sick pay. We do not have the statistics but it also seems likely that the disproportionate representation of women, black staff, lesbian and gay workers and disabled people amongst those on Zero hours contracts is reflected at London Met.

f. The recent success of UCU members at Edinburgh University in forcing management to stop using Zero hours contracts.

e. The growing furore in the national media about Zero hours contracts.

Please contact P.Murry at yrrumuk@googlemail.com if you are interested.

GREEN LEFT FRINGE AT AUTUMN CONFERENCE 2012

Both Green Left and the Green Party Trade Union Group applied to have fringes at the Green Party Conference September 7-10 2012, Conferences Committee turned down both these requests. Green Left decided to mount a fringe outside conference at 6-8pm on Saturday 8th September GPTU agreed to support this meeting and contribute towards costs of room hire. Video clips at http://greenleftblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/green-left-fringe-fringe-at-green-party.html